A DVD is dropped from rest. The DVD does not reach terminal velocity before it hits the ground. Explain how the acceleration of the DVD varies from the instant it is dropped until just before it hits the ground.

In the instant when the DVD is dropped, it will have an acceleration of g, with no drag force acting on it as it is not moving. As the DVD accelerates downwards, the drag force acting on it increases and so the magnitude of the net force downwards decreases, decreasing its acceleration. The DVD does not reach terminal velocity, so in the instant before it hits the ground, it will still be accelerating downwards.

DH

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Show that the radius of an orbit may be expressed as follows: R^3=((GM)/4*pi^2)T^2


A cannon is fired at 30 degrees from the ground and the cannonball has initial velocity of 15 m/s. What is the height of the highest point the cannonball reaches and how far is this point horizontally from the cannon?


Given that z = 6 is a root of the cubic equation z^3 − 10z^2 + 37z + p = 0, find the value of p and the other roots.


A projectile is launched from the ground at a speed of 40ms^-1 at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal, where does it land? What is the highest point the projectile reaches?